Fuse cutout cover with variable roofs for different fuse cutouts

Abstract

In one embodiment, a fuse cutout cover has an integral roof portion. The roof portion covers the energized top of a fuse in a first type of cutout. An attachable roof extension covers the energized top of a fuse in a larger second type of cutout, such as a Fault Tamer™ cutout. By adding the roof extension, the same cover may be used with two types of cutouts, and there is not a large gap over the fuse, preventing wildlife from entering the gap. In another embodiment, a second roof is formed over the first roof portion to accommodate different types of cutouts. Electrical insulation between wildlife and the energized cutout is also increased.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fuse cutout dielectric cover for a fuse cutout, the fuse cutout dielectric cover comprising:
 a first portion configured for at least covering a top of a first insulator in a first type of fuse cutout, 
 the first type of fuse cutout further comprising a first connector that provides electricity to a top end of a first fuse, a first metal hook assembly electrically contacting the first connector, and a first metal pull ring electrically connected to the first fuse; 
 a second portion extending from the first portion, the second portion having a roof portion configured for covering at least a portion of the first connector; and 
 an attachable roof extension for extending the roof portion to cover the top end of the first fuse. 
 
     
     
       2. The fuse cutout dielectric cover of  claim 1  wherein the fuse cutout dielectric cover is configured so that the roof portion covers a top end of a second fuse for a second type of fuse cutout but does not cover the top end of the first fuse for the first type of fuse cutout,
 wherein the second type of fuse cutout comprises a second insulator, a second connector that provides electricity to the top end of the second fuse, a second metal hook assembly electrically contacting the second connector, and a second metal pull ring electrically connected to the second fuse. 
 
     
     
       3. The fuse cutout dielectric cover of  claim 1  wherein the first portion and the second portion form a single molded piece. 
     
     
       4. The fuse cutout dielectric cover of  claim 1  wherein the attachable roof extension is attached using bolts. 
     
     
       5. The fuse cutout dielectric cover of  claim 1  wherein the attachable roof extension is attached using one or more resilient elements. 
     
     
       6. The fuse cutout dielectric cover of  claim 5  wherein the one or more resilient elements comprise snaps. 
     
     
       7. The fuse cutout dielectric cover of  claim 1  wherein the roof portion has holes for attachment of the attachable roof extension. 
     
     
       8. The fuse cutout dielectric cover of  claim 1  wherein the roof portion is a first roof portion, the fuse cutout dielectric cover further comprising a second roof portion underlying the first roof portion. 
     
     
       9. The fuse cutout dielectric cover of  claim 8  further comprising a third roof portion underlying the second roof portion, wherein the attachable roof extension is configured to be attached to either the first roof portion or the second roof portion. 
     
     
       10. The fuse cutout dielectric cover of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a spacer wall inside the fuse cutout dielectric cover within the second portion, the spacer wall having a bottom edge that is configured to contact a top surface of the first connector to support the cover over the first type of fuse cutout and space the roof portion away from a top of the first connector. 
 
     
     
       11. The fuse cutout dielectric cover of  claim 1  wherein the attachable roof extension is attached to the roof portion. 
     
     
       12. The fuse cutout dielectric cover of  claim 1  further comprising pins configured for being inserted through holes in the fuse cutout dielectric cover for preventing the fuse cutout dielectric cover from being blown off the first type of fuse cutout. 
     
     
       13. The fuse cutout dielectric cover of  claim 1  wherein the roof portion is substantially flat. 
     
     
       14. The fuse cutout dielectric cover of  claim 1  wherein the roof portion covers at least a portion of the first metal hook assembly but not the first metal pull ring. 
     
     
       15. The fuse cutout dielectric cover of  claim 1  wherein the fuse cutout dielectric cover is configured such that the first metal hook assembly and the first metal pull ring are laterally exposed, when the fuse cutout dielectric cover is installed over the first type of fuse cutout, to allow a loadbreak tool to engage the first metal hook assembly and the first metal pull ring at a wide range of angles. 
     
     
       16. The fuse cutout dielectric cover of  claim 1  wherein the fuse cutout dielectric cover is installed over the first type of fuse cutout. 
     
     
       17. The fuse cutout dielectric cover of  claim 1  wherein the first insulator has a top skirt, and wherein the fuse cutout dielectric cover is narrower than the top skirt so as to not surround the top skirt. 
     
     
       18. The fuse cutout dielectric cover of  claim 1  wherein the fuse cutout dielectric cover is installed over the first type of fuse cutout, the fuse cutout dielectric cover further comprising one or more pins that extend into holes in the fuse cutout dielectric cover and below the first connector to secure the fuse cutout dielectric cover in position. 
     
     
       19. A fuse cutout dielectric cover for a fuse cutout, the fuse cutout dielectric cover comprising:
 a first portion configured for at least covering a top of a first insulator in a first type of fuse cutout, 
 the first type of fuse cutout further comprising a first connector that provides electricity to a top end of a first fuse, a first metal hook assembly electrically contacting the first connector, and a first metal pull ring electrically connected to the first fuse; 
 a second portion extending from the first portion, the second portion having a first roof portion for covering at least a portion of the first connector and for covering a top end of the first fuse in the first type of fuse cutout; 
 the second portion also having a second roof portion, the second roof portion overlying the first roof portion and extending beyond the first roof portion for covering a top end of a second fuse in a second type of fuse cutout, 
 wherein the second type of fuse cutout comprises a second insulator, a second connector that provides electricity to the top end of the second fuse, a second metal hook assembly electrically contacting the second connector, and a second metal pull ring electrically connected to the second fuse; and 
 wherein the second roof portion includes an attachable roof extension that covers the top end of the second fuse.